Combustion synthesis of multicomponent ceramic phosphors for solid state lighting

About 50% of the world’s need for lighting is provided by artificial lighting. For over the last decade, the world has witnessed rapid shift from conventional Hg-based lighting to LED-based solid state lighting (SSL). SSL technology extensively uses YAG:Ce³⁺ phosphor for production of white light emitting devices (LEDs). Part of the blue light from the (In,Ga)N LED chip is absorbed by a thin layer of Ce³⁺-doped YAG and is converted into yellow light. The combination of blue and yellow gives a bright white light source with an overall energy efficiency exceeding that of a compact fluorescent lamp. Several soft chemical routes have been explored for synthesis of YAG but were discarded due to their complex nature, high cost for the industrialization, phase impure materials, etc. In this paper we describe rapid one-step modified combustion synthesis of YAG:Ce³⁺ and related phosphors carried out at 500°C using a mixed fuel. Photoluminescence spectra of YAG:Ce³⁺ and LED prepared thereof are comparable with those of commercial phosphors.